Bangkok, 2 February, 2015 – The Thailand Film Office, Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, is organising the Thailand International Film Destination Festival 2015 (TIFDF2015) that is set to promote the 12 charming provinces that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recommends tourists not-to-miss when they are in the kingdom. The Festival will be held from 4-12 February, 2015, at Siam Paragon Cineplex, Bangkok.
H.E. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports said, “This year, the Thailand International Film Destination Festival marks its 3rd anniversary and will be showcasing the kingdom’s 12 hidden gems as the new shooting locations for international films. This is in line with the government’s policy to promote the preservation of Thai traditions and cultures under the “2015 Discover Thainess” campaign that emphasises the country’s unique cultural assets and the Thai way of happiness to be passed on to international visitors.”
Thailand has become a popular location to shoot international films, and in recent years, the country has seen such films as ‘Hangover 2’, ‘The Impossible’, ‘The Lady’ and ‘The Railway Man’ bring recognition to the skills and facilities on offer in Thailand.
Department of Tourism Director-General, Acting Sub-Lieutenant Anuparb Gaysornsuwan said, “In the past two years, the TIFDF has successfully promoted Thailand as an international film destination as seen in the annual increase in the number of international film productions from Japan, India, Korea, China, the US and Hong Kong. For this year, the Festival will focus on the natural and cultural treasures of Thailand, especially in the TAT’s 12 hidden gems which have yet to be used as locations by any international film companies.”
Under the ‘Scenery, Scene, Seen on Screen’ theme, the TIFDF 2015 is set to present Thailand as an international film destination with three main activities:, the Thailand on Screen, the Amazing Thailand Film Challenge and the Awards Ceremony, as well as a selfie contest.
The Thailand on Screen, scheduled to be held from 7- 11 February, 2015, at Siam Paragon Cineplex will present 10 films from eight countries that were shot in Thailand, including the premiere in Asia of ‘Pernicious” from the US. Other films include ‘Last Flight’ from China, ‘Pale Moon’ from Japan, and ‘The Prince and Me: The Elephant Adventure’ from the US. The Festival will also screen the Box Office drama ‘The Railway Man’ from Australia.
The Amazing Thailand Film Challenge is hosting a total of 36 teams of film-makers, comprising college and university students, from around the world to make a short film in the TAT’s 12 hidden gems. Each team will include one appointed Thai filmmaking student to promote new friendships. Apart for the Best Film Awards, there will be prizes for Best Social Media approaches in promoting the film. The film production takes place from 4-11 February, 2015.
The Awards Ceremony to announce the winners of the Amazing Thailand Film Challenge, scheduled to be held on 12 February, 2015, is earmarked as a star-studded and glamorous event, with guest appearances by some of the stars, celebrities, film-makers and crew from around the world as well as from the Thai film industry.
In addition, the Thailand Film Office is encouraging public participation with a selfie contest in the 12 hidden gems (Lampang, Phetchabun, Nan, Buriram, Loei, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Trat, Chanthaburi, Trang, Chumphon and Nakhon Si Thammarat). The selfies must be submitted via Instagram, using hashtags: #TIFDF2015 and #DOTThailand, from now until 9 February, 2015. The winners will be announced on 10 February, 2015 at https://www.facebook.com/thailandfilmdestination. Winners will be awarded with return domestic air tickets, totalling 12 prizes, and a chance to get up close and personal with the stars at the Awards Ceremony.
Thailand Film Office Director Ms. Ubonwan Sujaritkul said, “In 2014, Thailand generated about 2 billion Baht in revenue from international film productions. The top five markets for international film productions in Thailand last year are the UK, the US, India, China and Hong Kong, respectively. We expect the same revenue for 2015, and we will continue to promote Thailand as an international film destination through regular road shows at international film festivals; such as, the Cannes International Film Festival in France.”
For more information, please contact:
Thailand Film Office
4th floor, Building 2, Department of Tourism, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
Tel: +66 (0) 2219 4010-7 Ext. 462-463, 634
Fax: +66 (0) 2216 6656
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.thailandfilmdestination.com and www.thailandfilmoffice.org
For media enquiries, please contact:
Khun Phonphot Sriphrachan
Tel: +66 (0) 89 512 7982
E- mail: [email protected]
Notes: Photos shown are from the press conference of the 3rd Thailand International Film Destination Festival (TIFDF) 2015, on Thursday 22 January, 2015, at the Infinicity Hall, Paragon Cineplex 5th floor, Siam Paragon.
